Wall-switch.



W. J. NEWTON.

WALL SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21.1908.

OWL

Am MW hm u W. J. NEWTON. WALL SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21.1908.

Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

2 SHBETSSHEET 2.

Q V M wages: (3H UC-l LTO I W 2,40% 1 25 $51 Q] Ho: 11m S( M a PATENT OFFICE.

freely removable from t -sertion of the mechanism .partlcularly WILLIAM J. NEWTON, or LYNBROOK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR To METROPOLITAN sWIToH- BOARD COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

WALL-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented April 6, 1909.

Application filed July 2 1, 1908. Serial No. 444,673.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. NEWTON, a citizen'of the United States, residing at Lynbrook, in the county of Nassau and State of New York, have invented certain new and. useful Im rovements in Wall- Switches, of which tlie following is a, full, clear, and exact description.

Myinvention relates to wall switches, that type which is embedded in the wall so as to be substantiall flush with the surface thereof, and inclu ing a twobutton sna switch by which a circuit or a plurality o circuits are controlled.

In some aspects, the'present invention is in the nature of an improvement over my prior construction set forth in Patents Nos. 702,989 and 707,622. In other aspects, the present invention includes broadly new subect matter as will be later set forth.

In the present invention I provide a form of retaining box which is permanently embedded in a wall or other location desired, and which may have any suitable lugs or fastening devices. The form of the box is such that the circuit wires are led toward the front open side thereof on the exterior of the box, and theterminal'connection screws are so located as to be accessible from the front side thereof, Whether or not the switch mechanism is in place. The switch mechanism is a self-contained lug or unit and e retaining box whenever desired, the electric connections all being properly established by a mere inin the box.

In the present invention I make use of a form of fastenin mechanism whichIiolds the same with great security in' use, and which establishes the electrical connections in a particularly efficient way. By this means only a single cover plate 1s required, which may be of an ordinary or ornamental construction. This cover is adapted to be secured to the retaining box and cooperates therewith to permanently secure the switch mechanism in place without the use of any other fastening devices. I make use of aswitch mechanism having a spring-impelled switch element which is constrained to make an abru t movement by a cam-operated detent put 1n operating. buttons are means for the switch:

view my invention consists in the features of construction and combination as hereinafterset forth and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a wall switch embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 1s a vertical sectional view of the retaining box. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the switch mechanism, the retaming box being shown in dotted lines. F 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line I IV of Fig. 3. Fi 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line V of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the parts of the switch. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the detent for controlling the movement of the switch element. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the rocker to which the connected.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are designated by the same reference sign, 1 indicates the casing or retaining box in which the switch mechanism is adapted to be contained, and which is received in a wall "of a building or any other desired location.

I prefer to construct the box 1 of-porcelain'or insulating material throughout and of rectangular outline, with a pair of clipsor lugs 2 projecting laterally from the edges of its open side and having holes 3 to receive any ordinary screws or fastening devices. The clips 2 may be conveniently stam ed from metal and secured'to the retaining ox 1 by screws or rivets-4.. I

5 designate grooves extending along the side edges of the retaining box on the ex terior surface thereof, and adapted to receive the circuit wires 6, of which one or two pairs may be provided, depending on the number of circuits to be controlled. The grooves 5 extend forward toward the open side of the retaining box and terminate in notches 7 in the side edges of the box at points preferably near the corners thereof.

he interior of the box 1 is of substantially rectangular outline throughout, but near the open side at points adjacent to the notches 7, the casing is recessed to form small rectangular chambers 8.

9 designate metallic strips bent rightangularly in op osite directions at their respective ends, t ereby forming the ears or lugs 9 and 9 The cars or lugs 9 rest against thebottom of the retaining box or against a ledge 1" near the bottom thereof, in which relation they are secured by the screws 9 which pass upward through the box,

constitute engaging means bottom of the box. The outer ears 9* have 'o'rdi'nary terminal screws 9 and are ada ted to be received in the rectan ular cham ers 8 above referred to, in whic relation their terminal screws are adjacent to the notches 7 through which the circuit wires are received. The circuit wires 6 are, therefore, adapted to be led forwardly in their grooves 5 or on the exterior surface of the retaining so as to enter the box through the notches 7 and be convenientl engaged under the terminal screws 9, an these connections may all be made after the box is permanently in place in its containing wall. he strips 9 present four faces 1n opposmg pairs 9 and 9 respectively. These'faces to mechanically su port the switch mechanism and establish all the electrical connections thereof.

The switch mechanism. is articularly illustrated in Figs'. 3 to 8 inc usive. 10 designates the base or plug of the switch, on which all of the operating parts are secured. This base is conveniently made of porcelain or other insulating material. 11 designates a frame member having a central standard 11 with a lateral cylindrical extension 11 which constitutes a .journal or bearing for a spindle 12 loosely received therein. The spindle 12 has switch blades or elements 13 secured theretoand insulated from the spindle and from one another by insulating ushings 14 supported by studs 15 on the arms 16 forming part of the spindle 12. The switch blades or elements 13 are at points adapted located in planes substantially corresponding to the oppositely directed faces 9' and 9" respectively of the metallic strips 9, and

means are provided to establish an. electric connection with these strips and furnishing contacts for the respective switch elements. For this pur'pose I preferably make use of metallic spring blades 17 secured upon the base 10 and projecting inward therefrom to 006 erate with the metallic str1 s 9. 18 designate U-shaped s ring clips ed to the'bases of the spring b ades 17 and rojecting upward therefrom behind the vb ades 17 and in positions adapted to be engaged by the switch elements 13 in their movement. The blades 17 are preferably supported on the base or lug 10 in a plane behind or offset from the rame member 11 (see Fig. 4) so as to insure an adequate protection a ainst grounds and short circuits. The relation of the. switch blades or elements 13 to the spring cli s 18 is such that each switch blade is capable of swinging into a horizontal position, where its extremities en age'both of a corresponding pair of the chps 18, or the switch blade may 'swin to a substantially vertical position, where 0th of its extremiradial 28 to t ,sort, but I prefer designates a segment-shape arm 28, which cooperates with a pin 32 on to limit the angular disties-are widely separated from said spring clips 18.

lhe mechanism for operating the switch 20 and 21 desi ate the respective operatin buttons guide in holes 22 in the base 10 an having stems 23.with laterally directed exblades is most clearly shown in Figs. 4and 5. i

tremities pivoted to a rocker 24 (see Fig. 8) i and which has a hub 25 loosely surroundm the cylindrical frame part 11* .(see Fig. 45

The rocker 24 has'an car 26 and a pm 27 projecting in opposite axial directions therefrom. 28

(see Fig. 6) designates an arm which is attached upon the switch spindle 12 so'as to control the angular movement thereof. The. arm 28 has a laterally extending ear 29 which overlies the ear 26 in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5. 3O designates a spring spirally surrounding the hub 25 and;

having prongs or extensions which embrace the res ective ears 26 and '29'and tend to constrain these parts to assume the same e spindle 12 may be of any desired 28, which is received upon sipindle 12. 31

notch'in the slot 33 in the arm a flattened portion of the the frame 11 so as placement of the arm and switch spindle to a position. The, fastening of thearm to make use of a key-hole predetermined throw or arc of movement. 1

35 designates a detent or sliderhaving an" elongate The detent has laterally bent edges 37 which embrace a ortion of the standard 11 so as to guide t e' detent 1n -a rectilinear path normal to the base 10. The u per end of the detent 35 is enlarged and as a transverse slot 40 adapted to engage and coprplerate with-the pin 27 of t e rocker 24.

air of comers 41, preferably square or slightly-inclined inward, and adapted to ene upper end of the detent 35 also has a d central hole 36 which surrounds the cylindrical part 11 of the frame member. j r

other location, the circuit wires 6. are con nected to the strips anisrn is inserted so that the sprin blades 17 engage the various strips 9 an establish electrical contact therewith, at the same time firmly holdin the switch mechanism within the. box. T e usual cover plate (not shown) is then applied, and fastened in place by screws received in the threaded openings 43 of the clips 2. In this relation the cover is adapted to hold the switch mechanism against withdrawal.

9 in a manner which has already been described. The switch mech-.

.When either of the 24 approaches the latter end of buttons or 21 is depressed, the rocker 24 is correspondingly oscillated and the arm 28 impelled to make a corresponding movement on account of the spring 30 which embraces the ears 26 and 29 of the rocker and arm 28 respectively. The arm 28 is, however, initially prevented from movement by the detent which has a corner 41 ei'igaging the edge 420i the arm 28 at this time. The de tent 35 is displaced upwardly in the drawings by the engagement of the pin 27 during the first part of the movement of the rocker, which movement still further insures a positive retention of the arm 28. As the rocker its movement, however, the pin 27 begins to depress the detent 35 and eventually,- when the rocker has substantially completed its movement, the detent 35 is so much depressed that its corner 41 passes out of engagement with the edge 42 of the arm 28, which immediately makes an abrupt movement to its other extreme position of throw under the influence of its impelling spring 30. When the other button is depressed, a corresponding sequence of movements takes place in the reverse direction. The movement of the detent 35 takes place immediately on the depression of either button and before the lost motion of the spring 31 has been overcome enough to impel the arm 28 to any extent. Accordingly, the detent 35 is sure to be displaced suiliciently to intercept the movement of the'arm 28 by the time the latter is impelled to leave its extreme position.

It will be observed that the terminal posts or screws 9 are ex osed at the open side of the box 1 under all circumstances, whether or not the switch mechanism is in place. In other words, these terminal posts are so arranged adjacent to the notches 7 which receive the circuit wires, that they are not covered or obstructed by the base or plug 10 of the switch mechanism when the latter is inserted in the box. Acconlingly all circuit connections can be made or c ranged or iii-- speeted without removing the switch mechanism from the box; which is a highly desirable feature, as will be obvious.

\Vllat I claim, is:

1. In a wall switch, a switch blade, an arm having a laterally projecting ear connected thereto, said ear having sharpened side edges, a rocker, a spring connecting said rocker and said arm, and a detent having a pair of square corners on its upper end and having a horizontal cam slot, and a pin on said rocker in said earn slot whereby said detent is vertically displaced by said rocker to engage said sharpened edges and intercept the movement of said arm during the preliminary movement of the rocker.

2. In a wall switch, a spindle having a flattened portion and a rigidly connected switch blade, an arm having a keyhole slot connection with the flattened portion of said spindle and having a laterally projecting ear with sharpened side edges, a rocker, push buttons for oscillating connecting said rocker detent having a pair of square corners on its upper end and having a horizontal cam slot, and a pin on said rocker in said cam slot whereby said detent is vertically displaced by said rocker to engage said sharpened edges and interce t the movement of said arm during the pre iminary movement of the rocker.

In witness whereof, I subscribe my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. NEWTON.

said rocker, a spring and said arm, and a lVitnesses WALDO M. CHAPIN, MARY S. HANDY. 

